Armenian Film Society

Armenian Film Society Armenian Film Society is a creative and cultural hub that champions Armenian films and empowers Armenian filmmakers.

06/25/2026

AFS Flashback

Emmy-winning actor Michael Goorjian starred as Justin Thompson on PARTY OF FIVE, portraying Neve Campbell’s longtime love interest in one of the defining television dramas of the 1990s.

PARTY OF FIVE aired for six seasons on Fox (1994-2000) and won the 1996 Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Drama, beating shows such as ER and NYPD Blue. The series remains a cultural touchstone for a generation of television audiences.

Join Michael Goorjian on Sunday, June 28 for Armenian Film Society’s Armenians in Television, a panel featuring actors from some of television’s biggest shows discussing their careers, experiences, and journeys in the industry.

📅: Sunday, June 28
⏰: 7:30pm
📍: LOOK Cinemas

https://armeniansintelevision.eventbrite.com/

We aren’t ready to say goodbye to Hollywood.Los Angeles saw a 24% decline in major scripted film and television producti...
06/25/2026

We aren’t ready to say goodbye to Hollywood.

Los Angeles saw a 24% decline in major scripted film and television production last year alone, with more projects choosing locations that offer better incentives and growing production infrastructure.

What can be done to keep Hollywood home?

Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian joins us at AFS HQ for an intimate conversation about the challenges facing the entertainment industry, reforms recently approved by the City Council, and the efforts underway to bring production back to Los Angeles.

This conversation is for film lovers, industry professionals, students, and aspiring creatives alike.

📆: Monday, June 29
🕢: 7:30pm
📍: AFS HQ
🎟️: Free

AFS HQ is Armenian Film Society’s headquarters and creative hub in Downtown Glendale. AFS HQ creates opportunities for learning, connection, and collaboration in an intimate setting through workshops, masterclasses, and conversations with filmmakers, bringing industry professionals of all backgrounds into close proximity with our community.

https://forms.gle/1GHhFCz299SZuQGX6

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended invitations to 529 artists and executives who have distinguishe...
06/24/2026

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended invitations to 529 artists and executives who have distinguished themselves through their contributions to theatrical motion pictures, including Aleen Keshishian (Artist Representatives), Josh Haroutunian (Marketing & Public Relations), Suren Tadevosyan (Cinematographers), and Natalie Musteata (Short Films).

Aleen Keshishian is Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Management + Media, and one of Hollywood’s most influential talent managers, representing global artists including Jennifer Aniston, Selena Gomez, and Jason Bateman.

Josh Haroutunian is a veteran entertainment publicist and partner at Divergent PR, who has led publicity campaigns for acclaimed films, filmmakers, and awards contenders across the independent film landscape.

Suren Tadevosyan is an acclaimed cinematographer whose work spans feature films and documentaries including IT’S SPRING..., INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, NOWHERE, YASHA AND LEONID BREZHNEV.

Natalie Musteata is an Oscar-winning filmmaker whose short film TWO PEOPLE EXCHANGING SALIVA premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the Academy Award for Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action) in 2026.

The 2026 class is composed of 42% women, with 56% individuals from underrepresented communities, and 53% members from 60 countries and territories outside the United States. If all invitees accept membership, total membership of the Academy (including Emeritus members) will rise to 11,319, with 10,338 voting members. The Academy’s membership will be 36% women, with 25% from underrepresented communities and 22% international.

The announcement continues a growing Armenian presence within the Academy. Last year, invitations were extended to Karren Karagulian, Andranik Berberyan, and Eric Esrailian.

06/24/2026

AFS Flashback

We’re hitting the rewind button for this story.

In 2018, while auditioning for LITTLE WOMEN in Boston, Edgar Damatian noticed actors reading scenes in a variety of languages. The role required the actor to speak in a language other than English, so he naturally chose Armenian.

The weeks passed without a word, until he received an unexpected call: Director Greta Gerwig wants to see you.

The callback brought back several actors. Edgar delivered the scene in Armenian, as Greta Gerwig asked what language he was speaking. “It’s one of the most beautiful languages I’ve ever heard in my life,” she said.

Edgar got the part.

The role could have been performed in any number of languages. The filmmakers had their pick. The decision ultimately required approval from director Greta Gerwig, producer Amy Pascal, and the team at Sony Pictures.

The result is a small but meaningful piece of Armenian representation in LITTLE WOMEN, a film that went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay. In a film seen by millions around the world, Armenian was given a place on screen.

In the end, Armenian won.

Join Edgar Damatian on Sunday, June 28 for Armenian Film Society’s Armenians in Television, a panel featuring actors from some of television’s biggest shows discussing their careers, experiences, and journeys in the industry.

📅: Sunday, June 28
⏰: 7:30pm
📍: LOOK Cinemas

Link in bio for tickets.

Paul Karmiryan voices Alexander Manoukian, father of Blake Manoukian, in TOY STORY 5.The film also includes a touching A...
06/24/2026

Paul Karmiryan voices Alexander Manoukian, father of Blake Manoukian, in TOY STORY 5.

The film also includes a touching Armenian exchange, with Blaze calling out “Papa” (Պապա) and her father replying, “Anoushigs” (Անուշիկս), meaning “my sweet one.”

Armenian Film Society was the first to break the news that TOY STORY 5 would feature a character named Blaze Manoukian, who is half-Black and half-Armenian.

Paul Karmiryan also voices some of the toys for background conversations.

Paul Karmiryan is an actor, dancer, and choreographer whosae screen credits include the Hulu revival of VERONICA MARKS alongside Kristen Bell, as well as roles in ONE DAY AT A TIME, ZAC & MIA, and THE SPACE BETWEEN. Paul Karmiryan is a winner of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE ARMENIA, and has also choreographed and performed with artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Lopez, and Paula Abdul.

TOY STORY 5 is now playing in theaters.

📸: Courtesy of Pixar, exclusively for Armenian Film Society

06/23/2026

You may recognize Jack Topalian from HBO’s EUPHORIA, but his credits also include EMILY THE CRIMINAL, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Jack Topalian appears alongside Aubrey Plaza, as well as Roman Mitichyan.

Join Jack Topalian on Sunday, June 28 for Armenian Film Society’s Armenians in Television, a panel featuring actors from some of television’s biggest shows discussing their careers, experiences, and journeys in the industry.

📅: Sunday, June 28
⏰: 7:30pm
📍: LOOK Cinemas

https://armeniansintelevision.eventbrite.com/

Why are productions leaving Los Angeles, and what can be done to bring them back?Join Los Angeles City Councilmember Adr...
06/23/2026

Why are productions leaving Los Angeles, and what can be done to bring them back?

Join Los Angeles City Councilmember Adrin Nazarian, chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment and Creative Economy and leader of the Keep Hollywood Home campaign, for a conversation about the challenges facing the entertainment industry, why productions are leaving Los Angeles, and the policies, incentives, and reforms being pursued to keep jobs and filmmaking in the region.

This intimate discussion will explore the state of production in Los Angeles and what measures are being taken to ensure the city remains the global capital of film and television.

📆: Monday, June 29
🕢: 7:30pm
📍: AFS HQ
🎟️: Free

Adrin Nazarian was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in November 2024 and represents the communities of the Eastern San Fernando Valley as Councilmember for the Second District.

Adrin Nazarian is leading the Keep Hollywood Home campaign, an effort focused on reducing regulatory barriers to film and television production and strengthening one of the region’s most important economic engines, and has introduced 15 motions so far that address both micro- and macro-level challenges facing the entertainment industry, with the goal of making Los Angeles a more production-friendly city and retain regional jobs.

AFS HQ is Armenian Film Society’s headquarters and creative hub in Downtown Glendale. AFS HQ creates opportunities for learning, connection, and collaboration in an intimate setting through workshops, masterclasses, and conversations with filmmakers, bringing industry professionals of all backgrounds into close proximity with our community.

https://forms.gle/1GHhFCz299SZuQGX6

06/22/2026

Sofia Hasmik, who plays Chrissy Beppo on SUPERMAN & LOIS, spent two seasons searching for the truth. In this pivotal scene from the Season 2 finale, she learns one of the world’s biggest secrets: Clark Kent is Superman.

Join Sofia Hasmik on Sunday, June 28 for Armenian Film Society’s Armenians in Television, a panel featuring actors from some of television’s biggest shows discussing their careers, experiences, and journeys in the industry.

📅: Sunday, June 28
⏰: 7:30pm
📍: LOOK Cinemas

https://armeniansintelevision.eventbrite.com/

Speaker Spotlight: Edgar DamatianArmenian Film Society presents Armenians in Television, a special panel featuring Armen...
06/19/2026

Speaker Spotlight: Edgar Damatian

Armenian Film Society presents Armenians in Television, a special panel featuring Armenian actors who have appeared in some of this year’s biggest series, including EUPHORIA, LINCOLN LAWYER, and THE PITT. The evening will explore their journeys, experiences navigating the industry, and the growing presence of Armenian talent on television today.

📅: Sunday, June 28
⏰: 7:30pm
📍: LOOK Cinemas
🎟️: $50

Speakers
🎤 Sofia Hasmik ()
🎤 Jack Topalian ()
🎤 Michael Goorjian ()
🎤 Edgar Damatian ()
🎙️ Moderated by Ellina Abovian ()

Edgar Damatian is an actor who’s been cast as everything from the guy you root for to the guy you probably shouldn’t, with range covering drama, comedy, and the edgier corners in between. Edgar Damatian’s credits include work alongside Saoirse Ronan, Taron Egerton, Nathan Fillion, Frank Grillo, and Giovanni Ribisi.

https://armeniansintelevision.eventbrite.com/

The historic costume archive of Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, Ukraine’s largest and oldest costume collectio...
06/18/2026

The historic costume archive of Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, Ukraine’s largest and oldest costume collection, was destroyed in a Russian strike, including costumes from Sergei Parajanov’s landmark film, SHADOWS OF FORGOTTEN ANCESTORS.

General Director Andriy Donchyk reported that while portions of the collection had been preserved because they were housed in other locations, the archive that was struck was completely destroyed. The attack erased a collection of approximately 100,000 costumes and three million individual garments accumulated over generations of filmmakers, designers, and craftspeople.

Founded in 1927, Dovzhenko Film Studio has produced more than 1,000 films and was preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. The studio reportedly was planning a major fashion exhibition showcasing costumes from its archive.

The destruction comes just months after Dovzhenko Film Studio was recognized by the European Film Academy as a “Treasure of European Film Culture,” honoring its nearly century-long contribution to cinema.

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